Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Persuasion--these are the 4 of Jane Austen's 6 novels that we'll read in depth. Together, we'll explore Austen's language--how she makes meaning, what for Austen holds meaning, and why we continue to turn to Austen to help us find meaning. The relationships between "truth" and misunderstanding, the past and the loss of paradise, self-sufficiency and lack, loss and love, slowness and the second chance will be our focus.